Zoho Books

Zoho Books

Access the Zoho Books API with managed OAuth authentication. Manage invoices, contacts, bills, expenses, sales orders, purchase orders, and other accounting data with full CRUD operations.

Quick Start

# List contacts
python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Base URL

https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/{endpoint}

Maton proxies requests to www.zohoapis.com/books/v3 and automatically injects your OAuth token.

Authentication

All requests require the Maton API key in the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer $MATON_API_KEY

Environment Variable: Set your API key as MATON_API_KEY:

export MATON_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"

Getting Your API Key

1. Sign in or create an account at maton.ai
2. Go to maton.ai/settings
3. Copy your API key

Connection Management

Manage your Zoho Books OAuth connections at https://api.maton.ai.

List Connections

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections?app=zoho-books&status=ACTIVE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({'app': 'zoho-books'}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Get Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "connection": {
    "connection_id": "{connection_id}",
    "status": "ACTIVE",
    "creation_time": "2025-12-08T07:20:53.488460Z",
    "last_updated_time": "2026-01-31T20:03:32.593153Z",
    "url": "https://connect.maton.ai/?session_token=...",
    "app": "zoho-books",
    "metadata": {}
  }
}

Open the returned url in a browser to complete OAuth authorization.

Delete Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}', method='DELETE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Specifying Connection

If you have multiple Zoho Books connections, specify which one to use with the Maton-Connection header:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Maton-Connection', '{connection_id}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

If you have multiple connections, always include this header to ensure requests go to the intended account.

Security & Permissions

• Access is scoped to invoices, contacts, bills, expenses, and other accounting data within the connected Zoho Books account.
• All write operations require explicit user approval. Before executing any create, update, or delete call, confirm the target resource and intended effect with the user.

API Reference

Available Modules

Zoho Books organizes data into modules. Key modules include:

Contacts

List Contacts

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "code": 0,
  "message": "success",
  "contacts": [...],
  "page_context": {
    "page": 1,
    "per_page": 200,
    "has_more_page": false,
    "sort_column": "contact_name",
    "sort_order": "A"
  }
}

Get Contact

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/{contact_id}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/8527119000000099001')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Contact

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "contact_name": "Customer Name",
  "contact_type": "customer"
}

Required Fields:

• contact_name - Display name for the contact
• contact_type - Either customer or vendor

Optional Fields:

• company_name - Legal entity name
• email - Email address
• phone - Phone number
• billing_address - Address object
• payment_terms - Days for payment

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({
    "contact_name": "Acme Corporation",
    "contact_type": "customer",
    "company_name": "Acme Corp",
    "email": "billing@acme.com",
    "phone": "+1-555-1234"
}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "code": 0,
  "message": "The contact has been added.",
  "contact": {
    "contact_id": "8527119000000099001",
    "contact_name": "Acme Corporation",
    "company_name": "Acme Corp",
    "contact_type": "customer",
    ...
  }
}

Update Contact

PUT /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/{contact_id}
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "contact_name": "Updated Name",
  "phone": "+1-555-9999"
}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({
    "contact_name": "Acme Corporation Updated",
    "phone": "+1-555-9999"
}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/8527119000000099001', data=data, method='PUT')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Delete Contact

DELETE /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/{contact_id}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts/8527119000000099001', method='DELETE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "code": 0,
  "message": "The customer has been deleted."
}

Invoices

List Invoices

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/invoices')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Get Invoice

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}

Create Invoice

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "customer_id": "8527119000000099001",
  "line_items": [
    {
      "item_id": "8527119000000100001",
      "quantity": 1,
      "rate": 100.00
    }
  ]
}

Required Fields:

• customer_id - Customer identifier
• line_items - Array of items with item_id or manual entry

Optional Fields:

• invoice_number - Auto-generated if not specified
• date - Invoice date (yyyy-mm-dd format)
• due_date - Payment due date
• discount - Percentage or fixed amount
• payment_terms - Days until due

Update Invoice

PUT /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}

Delete Invoice

DELETE /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}

Invoice Actions

# Mark as sent
POST /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}/status/sent

# Void invoice
POST /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}/status/void

# Email invoice
POST /zoho-books/books/v3/invoices/{invoice_id}/email

Bills

List Bills

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/bills

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/bills')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Bill

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/bills
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "vendor_id": "8527119000000099002",
  "bill_number": "BILL-001",
  "date": "2026-02-06",
  "line_items": [
    {
      "account_id": "8527119000000100002",
      "description": "Office Supplies",
      "amount": 150.00
    }
  ]
}

Required Fields:

• vendor_id - Vendor identifier
• bill_number - Unique bill number
• date - Bill date (yyyy-mm-dd)

Update Bill

PUT /zoho-books/books/v3/bills/{bill_id}

Delete Bill

DELETE /zoho-books/books/v3/bills/{bill_id}

Expenses

List Expenses

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/expenses

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/expenses')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Expense

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/expenses
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "account_id": "8527119000000100003",
  "date": "2026-02-06",
  "amount": 75.50,
  "paid_through_account_id": "8527119000000100004",
  "description": "Business lunch"
}

Required Fields:

• account_id - Expense account ID
• date - Expense date (yyyy-mm-dd)
• amount - Expense amount
• paid_through_account_id - Payment account ID

Optional Fields:

• description - Expense details
• customer_id - Billable customer ID
• is_billable - Boolean for billable expenses
• project_id - Associated project

Update Expense

PUT /zoho-books/books/v3/expenses/{expense_id}

Delete Expense

DELETE /zoho-books/books/v3/expenses/{expense_id}

Sales Orders

List Sales Orders

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/salesorders

Create Sales Order

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/salesorders

Purchase Orders

List Purchase Orders

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/purchaseorders

Create Purchase Order

POST /zoho-books/books/v3/purchaseorders

Credit Notes

List Credit Notes

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/creditnotes

Recurring Invoices

List Recurring Invoices

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/recurringinvoices

Recurring Bills

List Recurring Bills

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/recurringbills

Pagination

Zoho Books uses page-based pagination:

GET /zoho-books/books/v3/contacts?page=1&per_page=50

Response includes pagination info in page_context:

{
  "code": 0,
  "message": "success",
  "contacts": [...],
  "page_context": {
    "page": 1,
    "per_page": 50,
    "has_more_page": true,
    "sort_column": "contact_name",
    "sort_order": "A"
  }
}

Continue fetching while has_more_page is true, incrementing page each time.

Code Examples

JavaScript

const response = await fetch(
  'https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts',
  {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.MATON_API_KEY}`
    }
  }
);
const data = await response.json();

Python

import os
import requests

response = requests.get(
    'https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts',
    headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}'}
)
data = response.json()

Notes

• All successful responses have code: 0 and a message field
• Dates should be in yyyy-mm-dd format
• Contact types are customer or vendor
• Some modules (items, chart of accounts, bank accounts, projects) may require additional OAuth scopes. If you receive a scope error, contact Maton support at support@maton.ai with the specific operations/APIs you need and your use-case
• Rate limits: 100 requests/minute per organization
• Daily limits vary by plan: Free (1,000), Standard (2,000), Professional (5,000), Paid (10,000)
• IMPORTANT: When using curl commands, use curl -g when URLs contain brackets to disable glob parsing
• IMPORTANT: When piping curl output to jq or other commands, environment variables like $MATON_API_KEY may not expand correctly in some shell environments

Error Handling

Common Error Codes

Troubleshooting: API Key Issues

1. Check that the MATON_API_KEY environment variable is set:

echo $MATON_API_KEY

1. Verify the API key is valid by listing connections:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Troubleshooting: Invalid App Name

1. Ensure your URL path starts with zoho-books. For example:

• Correct: https://api.maton.ai/zoho-books/books/v3/contacts
• Incorrect: https://api.maton.ai/books/v3/contacts

Resources

• Zoho Books API v3 Introduction
• Zoho Books Invoices API
• Zoho Books Contacts API
• Zoho Books Bills API
• Zoho Books Expenses API
• Maton Community
• Maton Support